Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training: An effective treatment for male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms

Abstract

This was an experimental study of 14 alcoholic outpatients using the Peniston and Kulkosky (1989, 1991) brainwave treatment protocol for alcohol abuse. After temperature biofeedback pretraining, experimental subjects completed 20 40‐minute sessions of alpha‐theta brainwave neurofeedback training (BWNT). Experimentally treated alcoholics with depressive syndrome showed sharp reductions in self‐assessed depression (Beck's Depression Inventory). On the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory‐I, the experimental subjects showed significant decreases on the BR scores: schizoid, avoidant, dependent, histrionic, passive‐aggression, schizotypal, borderline, anxiety, somatoform, hypomanic, dysthmic, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, psychotic thinking, and psychotic depression. Twenty‐one‐month follow‐up data indicated sustained prevention of relapse in alcoholics who completed BWNT.

Short-term Beneficial Effects of 12 Sessions of Neurofeedback on Avoidant Personality Accentuation in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

“…Initial findings with the Peniston Protocol showed that NF significantly lowered clinical scales, with highest effects on scales related to anxiety, abnormal fears, tension, social avoidance, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depression, and self-criticisms (MMPI: Psychasthenia, Depression; Peniston and Kulkosky, 1991 ; MCMI: Schizoid, Avoidant, Anxiety, Dysthymia; Peniston and Kulkosky, 1990 ). In agreement with our findings, Saxby and Peniston ( 1995 ) reported the biggest effects of alpha/theta training in a DSM-III equivalent of Avoidant Personality, scale 2 of the MCMI. Accordingly, Scott et al ( 2005 ) reported decreases in MMPI scales known as neurotic triad (Hypochondria - Hs, Depression - D, Hysteria - Hy), which was interpreted as lowered level of general distress.…”

Short-term Beneficial Effects of 12 Sessions of Neurofeedback on Avoidant Personality Accentuation in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

“…Initial findings with the Peniston Protocol showed that NF significantly lowered clinical scales, with highest effects on scales related to anxiety, abnormal fears, tension, social avoidance, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depression, and self-criticisms (MMPI: Psychasthenia, Depression; Peniston and Kulkosky, 1991 ; MCMI: Schizoid, Avoidant, Anxiety, Dysthymia; Peniston and Kulkosky, 1990 ). In agreement with our findings, Saxby and Peniston ( 1995 ) reported the biggest effects of alpha/theta training in a DSM-III equivalent of Avoidant Personality, scale 2 of the MCMI. Accordingly, Scott et al ( 2005 ) reported decreases in MMPI scales known as neurotic triad (Hypochondria - Hs, Depression - D, Hysteria - Hy), which was interpreted as lowered level of general distress.…”

Comparison of LORETA Z score Neurofeedback and Cognitive Rehabilitation in terms of their Effectiveness in Reducing Craving in Opioid Addicts

“…Our findings showed the effectiveness of LZNFB and cognitive rehabilitation treatments in decreasing craving and attentional bias toward drug cues and improving wellbeing, which is consistent with previous studies ( Begh et al, 2013 ; Campanella, 2016 ; Cox et al, 2014 ; Dehghani-Arani, Rostami, & Nadali, 2013 ; Fals-Stewart & Lam, 2010 ; Hashemian, 2015 ; Heidari, Taremian, & Khalatbari, 2017 ; Passini, Watson, Dehnel, Herder, & Watkins, 1977 ; Peniston & Kulkosky, 1989 ; Potenza et al, 2011 ; Ross, 2013 ; Saxby & Peniston, 1995 ; Schoen-makers, de Bruin, Lux, Goertz, Van Kerkhof & Wiers 2010 ; Scott, Kaiser, Othmer, & Sideroff, 2005 ; Skjærvø, 2010 ; Taremian, 2014 ; Thatcher, 2010 ; van Hemel-Ruiter et al, 2016 ; Wiers, Houben, Fadardi, Van Beek, Rhemtulla, & Cox 2015 ).…”

Spectral Dynamics and Therapeutic Implications of the Theta/Alpha Crossover in Alpha-Theta Neurofeedback

“…In general, the results of this study are in agreement with Saxby and Peniston's (1995) speculation that beta activity is involved in recall of memories=imagery following ''alphatheta'' crossover activity in alpha-theta neurofeedback treatment. Findings in this study lend some support to his belief that crossover activity is a significant factor in the therapeutic effectiveness of alpha-theta neurofeedback treatment.…”

Short-term Beneficial Effects of 12 Sessions of Neurofeedback on Avoidant Personality Accentuation in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

“…Initial findings with the Peniston Protocol showed that NF significantly lowered clinical scales, with highest effects on scales related to anxiety, abnormal fears, tension, social avoidance, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depression, and self-criticisms (MMPI: Psychasthenia, Depression; Peniston and Kulkosky, 1991 ; MCMI: Schizoid, Avoidant, Anxiety, Dysthymia; Peniston and Kulkosky, 1990 ). In agreement with our findings, Saxby and Peniston ( 1995 ) reported the biggest effects of alpha/theta training in a DSM-III equivalent of Avoidant Personality, scale 2 of the MCMI. Accordingly, Scott et al ( 2005 ) reported decreases in MMPI scales known as neurotic triad (Hypochondria - Hs, Depression - D, Hysteria - Hy), which was interpreted as lowered level of general distress.…”

Comparison of LORETA Z score Neurofeedback and Cognitive Rehabilitation in terms of their Effectiveness in Reducing Craving in Opioid Addicts

“…Our findings showed the effectiveness of LZNFB and cognitive rehabilitation treatments in decreasing craving and attentional bias toward drug cues and improving wellbeing, which is consistent with previous studies ( Begh et al, 2013 ; Campanella, 2016 ; Cox et al, 2014 ; Dehghani-Arani, Rostami, & Nadali, 2013 ; Fals-Stewart & Lam, 2010 ; Hashemian, 2015 ; Heidari, Taremian, & Khalatbari, 2017 ; Passini, Watson, Dehnel, Herder, & Watkins, 1977 ; Peniston & Kulkosky, 1989 ; Potenza et al, 2011 ; Ross, 2013 ; Saxby & Peniston, 1995 ; Schoen-makers, de Bruin, Lux, Goertz, Van Kerkhof & Wiers 2010 ; Scott, Kaiser, Othmer, & Sideroff, 2005 ; Skjærvø, 2010 ; Taremian, 2014 ; Thatcher, 2010 ; van Hemel-Ruiter et al, 2016 ; Wiers, Houben, Fadardi, Van Beek, Rhemtulla, & Cox 2015 ).…”

Spectral Dynamics and Therapeutic Implications of the Theta/Alpha Crossover in Alpha-Theta Neurofeedback

“…In general, the results of this study are in agreement with Saxby and Peniston's (1995) speculation that beta activity is involved in recall of memories=imagery following ''alphatheta'' crossover activity in alpha-theta neurofeedback treatment. Findings in this study lend some support to his belief that crossover activity is a significant factor in the therapeutic effectiveness of alpha-theta neurofeedback treatment.…”

Short-term Beneficial Effects of 12 Sessions of Neurofeedback on Avoidant Personality Accentuation in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

“…Initial findings with the Peniston Protocol showed that NF significantly lowered clinical scales, with highest effects on scales related to anxiety, abnormal fears, tension, social avoidance, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depression, and self-criticisms (MMPI: Psychasthenia, Depression; Peniston and Kulkosky, 1991 ; MCMI: Schizoid, Avoidant, Anxiety, Dysthymia; Peniston and Kulkosky, 1990 ). In agreement with our findings, Saxby and Peniston ( 1995 ) reported the biggest effects of alpha/theta training in a DSM-III equivalent of Avoidant Personality, scale 2 of the MCMI. Accordingly, Scott et al ( 2005 ) reported decreases in MMPI scales known as neurotic triad (Hypochondria - Hs, Depression - D, Hysteria - Hy), which was interpreted as lowered level of general distress.…”

Comparison of LORETA Z score Neurofeedback and Cognitive Rehabilitation in terms of their Effectiveness in Reducing Craving in Opioid Addicts

“…Our findings showed the effectiveness of LZNFB and cognitive rehabilitation treatments in decreasing craving and attentional bias toward drug cues and improving wellbeing, which is consistent with previous studies ( Begh et al, 2013 ; Campanella, 2016 ; Cox et al, 2014 ; Dehghani-Arani, Rostami, & Nadali, 2013 ; Fals-Stewart & Lam, 2010 ; Hashemian, 2015 ; Heidari, Taremian, & Khalatbari, 2017 ; Passini, Watson, Dehnel, Herder, & Watkins, 1977 ; Peniston & Kulkosky, 1989 ; Potenza et al, 2011 ; Ross, 2013 ; Saxby & Peniston, 1995 ; Schoen-makers, de Bruin, Lux, Goertz, Van Kerkhof & Wiers 2010 ; Scott, Kaiser, Othmer, & Sideroff, 2005 ; Skjærvø, 2010 ; Taremian, 2014 ; Thatcher, 2010 ; van Hemel-Ruiter et al, 2016 ; Wiers, Houben, Fadardi, Van Beek, Rhemtulla, & Cox 2015 ).…”

Spectral Dynamics and Therapeutic Implications of the Theta/Alpha Crossover in Alpha-Theta Neurofeedback

“…In general, the results of this study are in agreement with Saxby and Peniston's (1995) speculation that beta activity is involved in recall of memories=imagery following ''alphatheta'' crossover activity in alpha-theta neurofeedback treatment. Findings in this study lend some support to his belief that crossover activity is a significant factor in the therapeutic effectiveness of alpha-theta neurofeedback treatment.…”